Visa and Customs Information

Delegates are requested to check the Australia visa requirements relevant to them as soon as possible. All visitors to Australia, except New Zealanders, must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. It is the delegate's responsibility to investigate the visa requirements and to apply for a visa, if necessary.

The conference organizers are working with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship on visa processes for delegates and have put together the following factsheets:

Travelling to Australia

The Australian Government does not require holders of Australian visas to have a ‘visa label’ in their passport. To read the factsheet for visa holders click here.

Arriving in Australia

Your Incoming Passenger Card, which will be issued on the plane before landing in Australia, is a legal document. There are penalties for not completing it correctly and for making a false declaration. Everyone who arrives at an Australian airport must present their travel documents and Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) to officers in immigration clearance and in customs clearance. An example of this card is available here.

Anyone who arrives without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Australia, may be refused entry to Australia or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Australia have been confirmed. If a person does not meet immigration clearance requirements, they may be refused entry to Australia.

Customs information

After passing through immigration clearance you will need to collect your baggage and this may be checked by Customs and Border Protection or Quarantine officers. On the Incoming Passenger Cards passengers need to declare all food, plants, animals, biological goods and medicines. This includes some prescription medications, alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral preparation formulas. Some products require a permit or quarantine clearance and/or a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medication and medical condition. See the “Travelling with Medication” section for more detailed information. A complete list of restricted and prohibited items is available here.

REMEMBER – IF IN DOUBT, DECLARE IT!

Your baggage may be x-rayed or examined by Customs and Border Protection or Quarantine to detect prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods and you may be questioned by officers. In the passenger hall and quarantine area there are often dogs working to search for drugs and other prohibited or restricted goods as well as food, plant or animal material.